This game is like sitting by a warm fire during the winter. The newly added Johto region adds a cozy environment that you can easily ease into. The Music in this game is some of the best in the series. It’s melancholic and nostalgic sounds never fails to amaze me. Each and every track is never out of place. The Pokémon sprites are just so fucking beautiful. This is just how Pokémon games should make me feel.

A lot of people point out the extreme level gaps after the first few gyms (rightfully so) but this doesn’t bother me as much. For example, the Pokémon in Kanto aren’t up to par with your party members so their aren’t any incentives to catch new members and you don’t have access to Pokémon like Houndour, Larvitar, and Misdreavus, until post game. These are great points (especially Larvitar. I worked for shit to get it to evolve into a Tyranitar) but I don’t think this makes this generation worse. This generation promotes patience and creativity. You have to work and put effort into the game if you want a truly great and unique experience. Sadly you are going to be missing a good portion of content due to the poorly marketed Pokémon Stadium 2 backwards compatibility. The only criticism I have and agree with is how unimportant and throw away Team Rocket is in this game. Team Rocket’s goal is basically interrupt the players journey, take over the radio tower, and then fuck off. While I can understand why people dislike this generation I don’t really think it’s because it’s good or bad but more because it’s not meant for casual players. Tama Hero has a great video where she addresses some of its good and bad faith criticisms.

If you asked me what Pokémon game had the most interesting and memorable fights, look no further than Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal. This generation is full of challenges that you have to overcome (not necessary by grinding) and have you constantly thinking about your approach to certain trainers, gym leaders, etc. I especially love the battle with Red which really made me put in all my potential. I lead with a lv. 48 Wobbuffet against a lv. 81 Pikachu. Somehow I out sped the yellow rat and got a destiny-bond in before it could strike. These moments are why I love Pokémon. These are the moments when you have your back against the wall and your goofy pals save the day. I beat Red with Pokémon under lv. 60 and was very proud myself. If you are sick of the hand holding/copy and pasted formula of the new Pokémon games, this generation is definitely one to give a try.